Method for installing a whirlpool bath on an in-place bathtub

Abstract

A whirlpool system has the air and water mixing systems adjacent to the pump. The air and water mixing system is connected to inlets and outlets within a tub by flexible pipes, preferably--or optionally by semi-flexible or rigid pipes. The outlets or inlets within the tub are preferrably mounted in the tub from the inside of the tub.

What is claimed and sought to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. In a method for installing a whirlpool assembly in a previously installed porcelain tub wherein said tub has an inner wall and an outer wall, the improvement comprising: (a) providing a pump assembly, at least one flexible inlet pipe, at least one flexible outlet pipe, at least one inlet means, and at least on outlet means;   (b) providing a mounting flange on said inlet means and said outlet means;   (c) securing said flexible inlet pipe to said inlet means, and said flexible outlet pipe to said outlet means;   (d) using said inlet means to mark at least one spot for forming an insert in said tub;   (e) cutting said spot to permit insertion of said inlet means, wherein said cutting is for a porcelain tub, and cutting said spot for said inlet means and said outlet means includes: (1) drilling a centrally located aperture within said spot with a masonry drill bit having a diameter substantially smaller that the diameter of said spot;   (2) drilling a plurality of small recesses with said masonry drill bit in said tub around said centrally located aperture and substantially tangential to the edge of and interior to said spot;   (3) cutting said spot to permit insertion of said inlet means;   (4) tapping a screw hole on either side of said spot; and   (5) securing said inlet means in said tub by means of screws through said flange into said screw hole;     (f) passing said pipe between said inner wall and said outer wall to said pump assembly, and securing said inlet pipe to said pump assembly;   (g) installing said outlet means in a fashion similar to said inlet means; and   (h) securing an end of said outlet means in an operative fashion to said pump assembly.   
     
     
       2. In a method for installing a whirlpool assembly in a previously installed fiberglass tub wherein said tub has an inner wall and an outer wall, the improvement comprising: (a) providing a pump assembly, at least one flexible inlet pipe, at least one flexible outlet pipe, at least on inlet means, and at least on outlet means;   (b) providing a mounting flange on said inlet means and said outlet means;   (c) securing said flexible inlet pipe to said inlet means, and said flexible outlet pipe to said outlet means;   (d) using said inlet means to mark at least one spot on said fiberglass tube for forming an insert in said tub;   (e) cutting said spot to permit insertion of said inlet means, wherein cutting said spot for said inlet means and said outlet means includes: (1) drilling a centrally located aperture within said spot with a masonry drill bit having a diameter substantially smaller that the diameter of said spot;   (2) cutting said spot on said inner wall to permit insertion of said inlet means;   (3) securing two metal plates adjacent said spot on a side of said inner wall adjacent to said outer wall;   (4) tapping a screw hole on either side of said spot; and   (5) securing said inlet means in said tub by means of screws through said flange into said screw hole and said metal plate;     (f) passing said pipe between said inner wall and said outer wall to said pump assembly, and securing said inlet pipe to said pump assembly;   (g) installing said outlet means in a fashion similar to said inlet means; and   (h) securing an end of said outlet in an operative fashion to said pump assembly.